DeAngelo & Benson: NJ's Middle-Class Needs Must be Resolved

Assembly Democrats Wayne P. DeAngelo and Daniel R. Benson on Tuesday welcomed Gov. Chris Christie's focus on Sandy recovery, but said focus must also be paid to key unresolved issues such as job creation, economic development, public safety and property tax relief.

Assembly Democrats Wayne P. DeAngelo and Daniel R. Benson on Tuesday welcomed Gov. Chris Christie's focus on Sandy recovery, but said focus must also be paid to key unresolved issues such as job creation, economic development, public safety and property tax relief.

"We all share the goal of rebuilding New Jersey after Sandy and it's an unquestioned priority, but New Jersey's unemployment rate has been hovering near 10 percent since before the storm and fixing that must also be a top priority," said DeAngelo (D-Mercer/Middlesex). "Hopefully, the governor will work with us on the many job creation bills we passed in December, while also focusing on improving public safety, restoring funding for women's health care, boosting the minimum wage and helping our communities finally get the aid they deserve to control property taxes. We cannot relent when it comes to making our state more affordable for middle-class families."

Both lawmakers have been leading advocates for giving municipalities more energy tax receipt revenue they deserve to help control property taxes, only to see Gov. Christie veto such legislation.

"Rebuilding New Jersey is a top goal, but we must also keep our eye on many other pressing needs, such as finally lowering our 9.6 unemployment rate, boosting economic growth and controlling property taxes that burden so many working class families," said Benson (D-Mercer/Middlesex). "We need to ensure our recovery effort helps all residents and businesses, especially those burdened by the soaring unemployment, scant economic growth and rising property taxes we've seen since 2010. We cannot ignore the many needs facing our middle-class."